A Hackers Guide To Royal Ascot - Hole 11 (Old Waterfield)

The second nine is well under way and the course begins to swing towards the world famous Royal Ascot racecourse. For many years the club was situated inside the confines of the course. Indeed not only did it play home to an 18 hole golf course and a reservoir but there was also a cricket ground in there as well.

The 11th hole is a tricky par three. Like many it isn't particularly short and comes in at 178 yards off the white tees. The course guide describes it thus: "A 178 yard par 3 that predominately plays down wind. Avoid the greenside bunkers if you can, they are the most penal on the course. The green deserves a deal of respect, and is heavily contoured."

The green itself presents a very long and narrow target. There is a very large bunker to the right which sees a lot of activity. To the left are two deep bunkers and these should be avoided as per the course guide advice. It is very hard to get the ball up quickly enough and with enough dexterity to stop it on some of the severe contouring.

The view from the tee - not a lot to aim at

Visually it is a very pretty hole, with a back drop of mature trees and behind those is the magnificent grandstand on the racecourse. It is a very impressive structure and its easy for visitors to get wrapped up with the racecourse and forget to play a proper golf shot. It's a hole that demands full attention particularly in choosing the right club. Although it plays downwind as a rule there isn't much room short of the green and so the shot has to be flown all the way. Don't be too greedy though as there is a steep bank at the back and heavy rough and a ditch waiting to pounce just right of the putting surface to catch a ball fired in too strongly.

Coming up to the green with the magnificent grandstand on the racecourse behind the tree line

If you find the green with your tee shot, a par three is still not a certainty. The green runs from back to front and has a very pronounced step in it running across the middle of it. If the flag is in the front portion and the ball is past hole high then it is a very quick putt, usually involving the step back down to the cup. It's all about getting the line and the speed spot on the avoid a tricky three footer for par. If the flag is at the back then you need to ensure there is enough gas in the tank to get the ball to the hole.

Another green full of guile

It is testament to the testing nature that of the hole that it is considered the 7th hardest on the course according to the stroke index. To be honest if you don't hit the green then making a bogey is not always a given and it is easy to make a double or worse here. Miss it right and avoid the big bunker and there is a tricky chip over the sand to negotiate. There is a walkway to the next tee so a bare lie isn't unusual and the branches of the large oak guarding the green can come into play.

Miss it left and find the bunkers and it is a true test of your sand skills. Hook it left of the bunkers and there is heavy rough waiting. Getting it out of that, over the traps and stopping it on a green running away from you is a feat of short game wizardry. Off all the places to miss short and straight presents the simplest recovery shot down the length of the green but with the step and slopes to contend with is still a big ask to get it close.

Birdies are a rare beast here and should be savoured. Par is a good score and for many there is no shame is using the shot received and making four nett three and moving on. It may not wreck a good card but it can certainly slow the momentum. As we will see, the next few holes won't provide any respite or the opportunity to make good any serious mistakes so it needs to be treated with care.